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Florida A&M head football coach Alex Wood attacked his first full recruiting season as the leader of the Rattlers and came away pleased.

On national signing day, FAMU announced the addition of several new Rattlers. The group in Wood’s presentation included 21 high school signees and nine JUCO transfers – all of whom Wood said will make fine additions to the rebuilding football program.

“Take a good look at them now,” Wood said Wednesday while showing off his recruits to a small crowd at the university’s College of Pharmacy, “because in the fall, you’ll have to pay to see them.”

Wood said he and his coaches focused on linemen – both offensive and defensive – for the 2016 recruiting class. The Rattlers made a splash by adding three-star guard Obinna Nwankwo to go along with four other offensive linemen and six defensive linemen.

The Rattlers struggled with depth in the trenches for most of the season.

“We were in every school in the state of Florida between springtime and today,” Wood said. “Every high school in the state of Florida that plays football and has a prospect, we were there. We made sure we did a good job evaluating talent.”

Wood broke down his 2016 class and said the group has an average GPA of 3.02. Among the 30-plus players there are 23 players who were team captains, three All-Americans and 11 players who were All-State.

“You never really say you’re satisfied in athletics, but we’re happy,” Wood said. “We’re ecstatic about this class, about the young men we were get to say, ‘Yes. I want to come be a Rattler.’ Without question.

“Time will tell, obviously. Recruiting is not an exact science and development stages will take place and then we’ll see where we’re at.”

Wood said there were some challenges in recruiting. FAMU is under sanctions from the NCAA and isn’t eligble for the 2016 postseason. Plus, the team can’t hold full spring practice, though Wood said there will be player-run workouts before the team starts its summer program.

“FAMU has got a great brand,” Wood said. “There have been some mistakes made in the past, but nothing that really tarnishes the brand to the point where student athletes aren’t excited about playing football here.

“Once you get them on campus, it becomes a little bit easier.”

The football staff stayed close to home for a few prospects. FAMU added two kickers – one from Leon and one from Lincoln – and picked up three linemen from FHSAA Class 5A runner-up Wakulla.

Wakulla’s Tyler Teegen, who signed with the Rattlers along with defensive tackle Bud Franklin and fellow offensive lineman Aaron Price, said he’s looking forward to getting to work at FAMU.

“Everyone who goes there is just going to have to work and we’re going to have to get bigger and stronger and execute on game day,” he said.

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Video: OL Tyler Teegan on why he chose FAMU

FAMU’s nine JUCO transfers are all already on campus, Wood said. He added that bringing on JUCO players will help “speed up” the football program’s rebuilding process.

“I didn’t think we could go out and recruit all high school players to help us,” he said.

“It is a process, building a program. But I just ain’t that patient. I want to win… yesterday. I think this is our best opportunity and our best chance to put together a winning football team. These are guys who have played the game and who’ve been in the weight room and have been in class.

“That’s been the trend through the years. When you want to sped up the trend in terms of winning and losing, you rely on older players to try and help you do that. It’s a little bit like free agency.”

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DT Bud Franklin signs with Florida A&M during a ceremony at Wakulla High School.(Photo: Brian Miller/Democrat)

FAMU’s 2016 recruiting class

JUCO transfers

OG Justin Richards

Hudson Valley (N.Y) JC

LB Lyndon Edwards

ASA Miami JC

OT Rashad WIlliams

College of Dupage (Ill.)

WR Chavis Murphy

ASA Miami JC

LB Elijah Richardson

ASA Miami JC

LB Jakaris WIlson

New Mexico Military JC

QB Vincent Jefferies

Santa Rosa (Calif.) JC

DE Elijah Watkins

Fresno City (Calif.) JC

*RB Tevin Spells is currently enrolled at TCC and will be eligible to join the team in May